certain burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific type of burden or responsibility that is acknowledged but not explicitly defined. Example: "The project comes with a certain burden that we must all be prepared to handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

There is, arguably, a certain burden on the viewer to approach works with these historical filters in mind.

The New Yorker

But, he adds, "it seems to me that people who want to say, 'I'm in favor of a regime change, but not now,' have a certain burden to answer the question, 'O.K., well, when?"' The answer to that question remains a secret, if it has been decided at all.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, when he became the lodestar of the New York School, he came to feel that it was "a certain burden, this Americanness," by which he seems to have meant that the myth of new American art, like the myth of America itself -- as something untethered to history, unprecedented -- was an unsustainable concept.

The New York Times - Magazine

I met him in a Sarajevo cafe a couple of years ago and he spoke movingly then of how he would lie awake at night wondering whether the war might have been averted or at least stalled if his Yugoslavia side had won the World Cup in 1990, while at the same time knowing it was an absurd thought and that football can carry only a certain burden.

The Guardian - Sport

Experts thinks so; that in an act of requesting a favour, you are putting a certain burden on the opponent to complete the task for you.

BBC

My reason for rejecting a principle might be, not so much that it imposes a certain burden on me, but the way in which it imposes that burden and what the principle thus says about me.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It would strip the legislature of its inherent power to determine generally what is for the general interests, which interests may often be promoted by certain regulations affecting one class which do not affect another, certain burdens imposed on one which do not rest upon another.

Cornell University

At least when it comes to the masses, it is a modern invention; it came into vogue along with autonomous selfhood and other Enlightenment notions, and it imposes certain burdens, like the loneliness and isolation so often noted by modernity's critics.

The New York Times - Books

They were all passed in response to certain needs (low income, the need to work but children to care for, etc), to relieve certain burdens (as the cost of adoption) or to relieve inequities (as double taxation).

Huffington Post

As time goes on and experiences exchange one after the other, our journey starts to experience certain burdens of toxic events that pollute our energy and block us from growing.

Huffington Post

On one hand, it is well established that women tend to suffer from depression to a greater extent than men, which may imply that they are more vulnerable to certain burdens, but on the other hand, women also tend to have larger social networks and receive more social support.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain burden" when you want to acknowledge a specific but perhaps not fully defined weight or responsibility. It suggests a recognized but potentially evolving or nuanced imposition.

Common error

Avoid using "certain burden" when a more precise term like "specific responsibility" or "clear obligation" would provide greater clarity. Ensure the context justifies the level of ambiguity implied by "certain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain burden" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" modifies the noun "burden". The function is to denote a specific, though perhaps not precisely defined, responsibility or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain burden" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to acknowledge a specific, yet possibly undefined, responsibility or difficulty. While it is not highly frequent, as Ludwig indicates, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English, with alternatives such as "specific responsibility" or "particular obligation" offering more precise options when needed. When employing the phrase, ensure that the context justifies its inherent ambiguity and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific responsibility

Emphasizes the defined and particular nature of the responsibility.

particular obligation

Highlights the distinct and individual aspect of the obligation.

definite encumbrance

Focuses on the clear and measurable weight of the burden.

specific onus

Stresses the legal or formal aspect of the burden of proof or responsibility.

distinct disadvantage

Highlights the specific and noticeable negative impact.

inherent difficulty

Focuses on the challenges that are naturally part of a situation.

unavoidable demand

Emphasizes the inescapable nature of the requirement.

inescapable pressure

Highlights the compelling and unavoidable nature of the pressure.

distinct tribulation

Emphasizes the unique and severe nature of the suffering.

particular weight

Focuses on the significant importance or impact of the burden.

FAQs

How can I use "certain burden" in a sentence?

You can use "certain burden" to refer to a particular type of pressure or responsibility, as in "The new regulations placed a certain burden on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "certain burden"?

Alternatives include "specific responsibility", "particular obligation", or "definite encumbrance", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a certain burden" or "some burden"?

"A certain burden" implies a known but not fully defined responsibility, while "some burden" suggests an unspecified or potentially smaller imposition. The best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when someone says something carries "a certain burden"?

It means that something has an associated responsibility or difficulty that may not be immediately obvious or fully defined, but is nonetheless present and impactful.